Symphonies of struggle that still speak to us today

Several members of The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain will be on familiar territory when they play Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre, reports DAVE FREAK

YOUNG musicians are to perform a trio of works inspired by protesting workers, revolution and the threat of war. Though all written in very different circumstances (and different countries), German composer Hanns Eisler’s Auf den Strassen zu Singen, Benjamin Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem and Russian writer Shostakovich’s Symphony No.11 together represent a call to arms.

The three 20th century works will be performed by The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO) at Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre, under the banner Rise Up!

“Each composer made their music for a reason,” states violinist and 17-year-old NYO leader Kynan Walker, from Sutton Coldfield. “Their message was a bid to make a difference to the prevailing political circumstances at the time.

“But these messages are perpetually relevant, they are messages we empathise with today in the society we live in now and the challenges that beset its structure. Brexit, debates about the NHS, ‘how many years left to save the planet?’… they affect us.”

Founded in 1948, at time when Britain was still reeling from the aftermath of World War II, The NYO has continued to welcome young musicians from across the country. Among the 164 teenagers within their current ranks are many from the West Midlands, including Kynan; Izabella Azima (Stratford-upon-Avon); Jack LedgerDowse, Ivy Lau and Bronagh Lee (Birmingham); Harry Scott-Burt (Rugby); Frank Coughlan (Bromsgrove); Callum Davis (Tipton); and brothers Patrick and Andrew O’Reilly.

Fourteen-year-old viola player Patrick and 13-year-old cellist Andrew, from Kenilworth, took time-out from rehearsals to tell us more about the concert and the NYO...

You’re performing three pieces in Coventry - can you tell us a bit about what you think of each?

Patrick: I’m really looking forward to playing Shostakovich’s Symphony No.11 as it is full of intensity, excitement and general epic-ness! I played Shostakovich’s No.7 last year, and it was awesome. Hopefully this experience will match that.

Andrew: They’re all very powerful pieces as they deal with the

Thirteen-year-old cellist Andrew O’Reilly and his 14-year-old viola player brother Patrick of the National Youth Orchestra.

struggles of people. I haven’t played any of them before so I’m looking forward to getting to know them.

It’s been a year where protests have become mainstream news, especially those led by younger generations. What are the issues that are personally important to you?

Patrick: I feel like everyone in school should have the opportunity to learn an instrument. Money shouldn’t be the barrier, which it currently is.

Andrew: I worry about children who don’t have a stable family like I do. I’m told there are 703 children in Coventry in care homes, and I find that very sad.

Do you get nervous before a performance?

Patrick: Not in orchestras or chamber music [groups], but sometimes when I’m playing solo and everyone is looking at you expecting you to do something amazing, and you don’t want to disappoint them.

Andrew: No. I’ve performed many times and always look forward to it.

How important has NYO been in your personal development as a musician?

Patrick: It has taught me many new techniques, like how to blend your sound using types of vibrato and bow speed.

Andrew: This is my first time [with

The NYO], but it has inspired to practice lots.

Are you familiar with Warwick Arts Centre?

Patrick: I’ve played in and seen orchestral concerts in Warwick Arts Centre several times before. Playing Sibelius’ Symphony No.2 there [in January 2019] was a real highlight, as that was my first NYO concert.

Andrew: I’ve been there many times. Once I heard an amazing cellist called Kian Soltani play Elgar’s Cello Concerto [in 2018]. Hopefully that will be me one day!

Outside of NYO repertoire, what music do you listen to?

Patrick: I tend to stay in the classical genre and generally listen to things which I’m currently learning, so viola repertoire mainly. My favourite viola players are Antoine Tamestit and Timothy Ridout.

Andrew: I enjoy listening to all sorts of music. Currently I’m listening to Juice Wrld, the American rapper who sadly died recently, aged just 21.

When did you first start playing a musical instrument? Do you come from a musical family?

Patrick: My family is very musical. Virtually every relative plays at least one instrument. I started playing when I was about six years-old and the influence of always hearing

music in the home has really inspired me.

Andrew: I started playing aged five. I was given a violin but played it like a cello, so my family quickly realised it was the instrument for me!

What are your plans for the year ahead?

Patrick: I have a few festivals and competitions as well as various concerts throughout the year at Junior Royal Academy. I want to concentrate on sorting out a couple of technical things to improve my playing, and getting some repertoire really polished and learnt.

Andrew: I have a couple of competitions/festivals. Beyond that just lots of practice and learning new repertoire. Preparing all the NYO repertoire is going to take me a while! The Shostakovich alone is very long and has a lot of very fast notes.

The National Youth Orchestra visit Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on Saturday, January 4. Preceding the 7.30pm concert is an opportunity for musicians aged 13-19 to develop their orchestral skills alongside the NYO (4.15pm, free) and a pre-concert Teen Hangout (6.30pm). For Rise Up! concert tickets (from £5), and details of how to register for the Come And Play session, see warwickartscentre.co.uk